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OpenSecondaryOfsted: GoodURN 147683

Sandymoor Ormiston Academy

Free schools · Runcorn · WA7 1QU

Ages 11–18 · 631 pupils · Halton

School website

Ofsted

Good

Attainment 8

42.5

Overall absence

9.7%

Admissions demand

1.14 · Balanced demand

Ofsted

Latest published inspection outcomes — not a ranking.

Read full report

Headline

Good

Inspection date

2024-04-17

Overall effectiveness
Good
Quality of education
Good
Behaviour and attitudes
Good
Personal development
Good
Leadership and management
Good
Safeguarding effective
Yes

Source: Ofsted monthly management information

Performance

Official school-level results. Figures are not rankings — suppressed values are omitted.

Key stage 4 (2023/24)

Progress 8-0.48
−20+2
Attainment 842.5
English & maths grade 5+40%
English & maths grade 4+53%
EBacc entry6%

EBacc APS: 3.5

Source: DfE school and college performance tables

Absence

Academic year 2023/24. Persistent absence means 10%+ of sessions missed. Lower figures are better.

Overall absence9.7%
Persistent absence (10%+)29.3%
Unauthorised5.7%
Authorised absence
4.0%
Severe absence (50%+)
4.8%
Enrolments in measure
631

Absence trend

2021/22

2022/23

2023/24

  • Overall
  • Persistent (10%+)

Source: DfE pupil absence in schools in England

Admissions demand

Coordinated admissions for secondary entry (2024/25 cycle, national offer day). Demand ratio compares families who listed this school 1st with total offers made — not a catchment or distance guarantee.

Demand ratio

1.14 · Balanced demand

1st preferences

131

Places offered

115

1st-preference offers

111

Total preferences (any rank)
229
Preferred offers (top 3)
115
Applications from outside LA
4
Offers to outside-LA applicants
2
Admissions policy (GIAS)
Non-selective

Source: DfE primary and secondary school applications and offers. Figures reflect offers on national offer day; late applications, appeals and waiting lists are not included.

Size & intake

From the GIAS school census (15 Jan 2026).

Capacity fill100%

631 pupils · 630 places

Pupils on roll
631
Boys / girls
317 / 314
School capacity
630
Capacity fill
631 / 630 (100%)
Free school meals
29.2%
FSM pupils
184
Admissions policy
Non-selective
Gender
Mixed
School type
Free schools

Age range

Ages 11–18

05111619

Provision

Official GIAS characteristics

0 / 6

  • Nursery
  • Sixth form
  • Boarding
  • Special school
  • Independent
  • Academy

School characteristics

Governance
Academy trust: ORMISTON ACADEMIES TRUST
Academy trust
ORMISTON ACADEMIES TRUST
Sponsor
Ormiston Academies Trust
Headteacher
Ms Linsey Hand

Location

Address
Sandymoor Ormiston Academy, Wharford Lane
Postcode
WA7 1QU
Town
Runcorn
County
Cheshire
Local authority
Halton
District
Halton
Constituency
Runcorn and Helsby
Urban/rural
Urban: Nearer to a major town or city

Local context

How this school sits among open establishments in its area, using official GIAS records. These are counts, not rankings.

Mixed free schools (secondary), Ages 11–18, in Runcorn, Halton, 631 pupils on roll. Notable characteristics: non-selective admissions. Free school meals: 29.2%.

Open schools in Runcorn
37
Secondary schools in Runcorn
4
Academies among open schools in Runcorn
35% (13)
Open schools in WA7
39
Secondary in WA7
4
Open schools in Halton LA
70
Secondary in Halton LA
7

Nearby secondary schools

Open schools within about 3 miles, prioritising the same phase where possible. Distances are approximate from GIAS coordinates.

Compare with theseAll in RuncornNear WA7

  • Ormiston Bolingbroke Academy

    Ofsted: Needs attention

    Academy sponsor led · Secondary

    Runcorn · WA7 6EP · Halton

    Ages 11–19

    • Att837.3
    • P8-0.7
    • EM5+27%
    • Absence13.4%

    1.8 miles away

  • Windmill Hill Primary School

    Ofsted: Good

    Community school · Primary

    Runcorn · WA7 6QE · Halton

    Ages 4–11

    • KS275%
    • Absence5.5%
    • FSM58.1%
    • Demand1.00

    0.7 miles away

  • Daresbury Primary School

    Ofsted: Good

    Academy converter · Primary

    Warrington · WA4 4AJ · Halton

    Ages 4–11

    • KS275%
    • Absence4.4%
    • FSM9.5%
    • Demand0.72

    0.9 miles away

  • Moore Primary School

    Ofsted: School remains Good

    Community school · Primary

    Warrington · WA4 6UG · Halton

    Ages 4–11

    • KS282%
    • Absence4.1%
    • FSM4.2%
    • Demand1.30

    1.0 miles away

  • Gorsewood Primary School

    Ofsted: School remains Good

    Community school · Primary

    Runcorn · WA7 6ES · Halton

    Ages 4–11

    • KS269%
    • Absence5.1%
    • FSM63.3%
    • Demand1.00

    1.4 miles away

New to reading school data? See Ofsted ratings explained and how to compare schools.

Contact

Headteacher
Ms Linsey Hand
Telephone
01928571217
Website
http://www.sandymooroa.co.uk

Official links